42 Questions
What is the primary characteristic of cancer cells that distinguishes them from normal cells?
Their unregulated cell division and growth
What is the term for the spread of cancer cells from their site of origin to other sites within the body?
Metastasis
What is the term for a mass of cancer cells that are derived from a single original cancer cell?
Tumour
What is the primary way in which cancer cells interfere with normal body processes?
By competing with normal tissues for oxygen and nutrients
Why are cancers considered genetic diseases?
Because they are caused by genetic mutations
What is the exception to the rule that tumours are a mass of cancer cells?
Leukaemia
What is the consequence of a mutation occurring in the promoter region of a gene?
An alteration in the expression of the gene
What is the estimated percentage of cancers that may originate from chromothripsis events?
2-3% of all cancers
What is the consequence of an insertion or deletion mutation in the coding region of a gene?
A frameshift mutation leading to a truncated protein
What is the role of error-prone DNA polymerase in gene mutation?
Exacerbating the formation of adducts and base oxidation
What is the term for the process by which a large number of genomic rearrangements occur in a single event?
Chromothripsis
What is the percentage of the genome that consists of genes?
1.5% of the genome
What is the primary mechanism that controls cell numbers in the body?
Programmed cell death and cell division
What is the primary difference between benign and malignant tumours?
Malignant tumours can migrate and invade.
What is the role of angiogenesis in cancer development?
To supply tumours with oxygen and nutrients.
What is the function of oncogenes in normal cells?
To promote normal cell growth and differentiation
What is the function of cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) in the cell cycle?
To regulate transition between cell cycle phases
What is the result of unlimited replicative potential in cancer cells?
Cancer cells maintain telomere length.
What is the effect of a mutation in a tumor suppressor gene?
Increased cell growth
What is reprogramming of energy metabolism in cancer cells?
A change in energy production to supply increased demand for fuel and biomolecules.
What is the primary cause of death in cancer patients?
Invasion and metastasis.
What is the purpose of the G0 phase in the cell cycle?
Dormant or quiescent state
What is the function of the cyclin D/cdk4/6 complex in the cell cycle?
To arrest the cell cycle at the G1 checkpoint
What is the percentage of cancer cases that are inherited?
1-2%.
What is the primary difference between normal and cancer cells in cell culture?
Normal cells exhibit contact inhibition.
What is the effect of disruption of checkpoints in the cell cycle?
Increased risk of mutation and carcinogenesis
What is the characteristic of the effect of oncogenes on cell growth?
Dominant
What is the result of DNA damage in normal cells?
Mutations can be repaired or go unnoticed.
What is the role of genome instability in cancer development?
It promotes cancer formation.
What is the function of p53 in the cell cycle?
To inhibit cell growth and tumour formation
What is a common characteristic of tumor suppressor genes?
They inhibit cell growth
What is the relationship between carcinogens and mutagens?
All carcinogens are mutagens, but not all mutagens are carcinogens.
What is the role of the Retinoblastoma (Rb) gene in cell cycle regulation?
It inhibits cell cycle progression
What is the function of Ras proteins in signal transduction?
They are inner membrane-bound signal transducers
What is the correlation between UV exposure and cancer?
UV exposure increases the risk of skin cancer
What is the result of unrepaired or incorrectly repaired DNA damage?
DNA mutations
What is the role of transcription factors in gene expression?
They activate or repress gene expression
What is the function of protein phosphatases in cell signaling?
They remove phosphates from proteins
What is the result of mutations occurring in genes involved in DNA repair?
Decreased DNA repair capacity
What is the definition of a mutagen?
A substance that causes DNA mutations
What is the consequence of genomic instability in cancer cells?
Accumulation of mutations
What is the role of Cyclins and associated cyclin-dependent kinases in regulating Rb gene activity?
They phosphorylate Rb gene
Understand the basics of cancer, including its definition, characteristics, and how it progresses in the body. Learn about unregulated cell division, invasion, and metastasis.
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